The experience of a geriatric hospital at home service for acutely ill elderly patients with pressure ulcers: an observational study .

Unlabelled:  Background. Pressure ulcers are an often underestimated problem affecting elderly patients.

Methods: An observational study was undertaken to evaluate patients admitted from January 2000 to December 2001 to a geriatric hospital affiliated at home service.

Hospital at home for elderly patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although the hospital is the standard venue for short-term medical care, it may be hazardous for older persons. This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a physician-led hospital-at-home service for selected elderly patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: Prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up for patients 75 years or older admitted to the hospital from April 1, 2004, through April 31, 2005, for acute decompensation of CHF.

Substitutive "hospital at home" versus inpatient care for elderly patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a prospective randomized, controlled trial.

Objectives: To evaluate hospital readmission rates and mortality at 6-month follow-up in selected elderly patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Design: Prospective randomized, controlled, single-blind trial with 6-month follow-up.

Setting: San Giovanni Battista Hospital of Torino.

[Malnutrition and dementia: importance of care during food intake].

Aim of this work is to assess the effects on nutritional status of appropriate care in food intake in demented patients. In a long term care in Turin, we enrolled 96 patients aged 75-103 years free from metabolic, hematologic and neoplastic diseases and not showing signs of acute illness. Seventy seven of these patients were affected by dementia.